Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) strongly criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the Senate floor, urging him to rethink a plan to relinquish British control over a strategic military base in the Indian Ocean, warning that the move could ultimately benefit China.

Kennedy’s remarks centered on the fate of the Chagos Islands, a British overseas territory that includes the joint U.S.-UK naval base at Diego Garcia.

The senator did not mince words in his assessment of Starmer’s decision, urging him to reconsider.

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“The United Kingdom is our friend. I went to school there for a while. I love them and I want to see the prime minister do well, but he needs to put down the bong. He needs to put down the bong,” Kennedy said.

“This makes absolutely no sense, and it’s going to be a big part of his legacy if he gives away this island and our military base to, in effect, what will eventually be China.”

The dispute over the Chagos Islands dates back to a 2019 International Court of Justice ruling, which determined that Britain had no legal claim to the islands.

The ruling, backed by the United Nations, led to an October 2024 announcement that the UK had reached a deal to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.

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While the agreement allows for the continued operation of the U.S.-UK military base at Diego Garcia for another 99 years, it has faced resistance from leaders in both the UK and the U.S., who view the decision as a strategic misstep.

Kennedy made clear that he stands among those critics, calling the plan “bone deep down to the marrow stupid.”

Kennedy expressed concern that the UK’s decision was based on pressure from international organizations rather than national security interests.

“Because the United Nations wants the United Kingdom to feel guilty, they want to give our military base and their military base to Mauritius,” Kennedy said.

“Now, the prime minister of the United Kingdom can stop this, and Marco Rubio, our new secretary of state, is against it. And I haven’t talked to him directly, but I think President Trump is against it.”

Despite his strong words, Kennedy later softened his tone, clarifying that he did not intend to be disrespectful toward Starmer, though he remained firm in urging him to reconsider.

“I shouldn’t have said the bong part, I take it back,” Kennedy said.

“Please Mr. Prime Minister, don’t do this. Don’t do this. We’ll stand with you in telling the United Nations, who’s so upset with you, to go fill out a hurt feelings report because we’re not doing it. We’ll stand with you.”

NEW: Keir Starmer is told to “put down the bong” by US Senator John Kennedy over the Chagos Islands deal pic.twitter.com/2JSBMk6zRo

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The Diego Garcia military base is seen as a critical strategic asset for Western military operations in the Indo-Pacific region, and critics argue that handing over control of the islands to Mauritius could open the door for Chinese influence in the region.

While UK and U.S. officials insist the base will remain operational, opponents of the transfer, including Kennedy, warn that relinquishing British sovereignty over the islands weakens the West’s position in the Indian Ocean and could pose long-term security risks.

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